Recruitment

A.J & C.I Snell is one of the UK's leading fresh and frozen fruit growers, supplying to the UK's major supermarkets and other big brand names. We are a family run business that has developed significantly over the last decade. We are passionate about producing quality products and creating a culture amongst our team that encourages both hard work and enjoyment for all.

Our farm, Pencoyd Court Farm, is 450 acres in size, and produces strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and blackcurrants, both organically and conventionally.

We are proud to welcome employees from the UK and Eastern Europe. For Eastern European students that come here to work, we offer a great way to experience the British culture, improve language skills and save money too.

We have safe, clean and modern accommodation, either in mobile homes or dormitories, where the emphasis is on communal living. There are many leisure activities on-site, including a football pitch, outdoor volleyball court, table tennis, basketball net, a tennis court and bicycles. We also actively organise trips to local tourist attractions, and encourage our employees to interact with each other and the wider community.

For an extended opportunity, and with the full backing of the business, a number of students have undertaken the SWEP scheme (Seasonal Workers Education Programme) to enable them to obtain skills beneficial to them in the future.

All rates of pay are in line with the Agricultural wages order. All employees will earn, as a minimum, the Agricultural minimum wage, with the opportunity to earn substantially more based on a piece work basis - rewarding employees with higher pay for higher volumes of picking. We can assist in setting up UK bank accounts, if necessary.

There are also opportunities for promotion to positions of increased responsibility for employees who perform well.

During the period of November to April, employees can work up to 5 days a week (39 hours). In harvest time, May to September, we operate 6 day weeks (offering employees the opportunity for up to 6 hours overtime), taking
the total hours to up to 45 hours.
Please note, overtime is usually restricted to harvest time - there is usually no overtime work available during the months of November to April.

Working on the farm, applicants need to be keen, physically fit, and enjoy working outdoors and as part of a team. Harvesting can be hard work and very demanding, requiring lots of bending and lifting. Tasks will vary depending on the time of the year. The winter months (November - January) involve mostly pruning and preparation tasks. March and April involves the erection of Polythene tunnels and planting, and in the summer months the fruit is picked. There are also jobs in the Packhouse, where the fruit is inspected, packed and prepared for distribution.

Nationals from Bulgaria and Romania

Please note that nationals from Bulgaria and Romania can only work with us through the SAWS scheme, as a SAWS work permit is required. Nationals from Bulgaria and Romania who would like to work for us should apply through Concordia (YSV) Ltd.

Other applicants - All other applicants who wish to join the team should apply to the farm direct at chris@ajandcisnell.co.uk.